Given the state of their wide receiver corps, it's expected that the 49ers will select a wideout with some wheels in April's draft. On Sunday, the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers will perform their on-field drills at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. And the 49ers figure to watch with particular interest as the wideouts run the 40-yard dash, a valuable drill in evaluating pass-catchers.

There doesn't figure to be a wide receiver selected among the top 10 picks for just the fourth time since 2003, but analysts believe the overall group is well-stocked.

"There's a lot of depth to this wide receiver class," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. "I think in the first couple of rounds the 49ers should be able to find one to come in and be that vertical threat."

Said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff: "You can win with this group of wide receivers."

Before the combine, McShay, the NFL Network's Mike Mayock and CBS Sports' Rob Rang identified speedy wide receivers whom the 49ers could target in the first two rounds. Among the names mentioned: Baylor's Terrance Williams, Tennessee's Justin Hunter and West Virginia's Tavon Austin.

Among those three, the pint-sized Austin is the most intriguing.

At 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds, he was the NCAA's equivalent to the Vikings' do-it-all-threat Percy Harvin. In his final two seasons at West Virgina, Austin had 2,475 receiving yards, 825 rushing yards, averaged 25.8 yards on kickoff returns, 12.7 yards on punt returns and scored 27 touchdowns.

Projected as a late first-round pick, Austin's size is a potential concern. On Friday at the combine, he highlighted his toughness and durability, noting he hadn't missed a game in eight years.

There are few questions about his speed: Austin said he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds in pre-combine training.

"I'm strong," Austin said. "A lot of people don't think I'm that strong, but I am. The No. 1 thing is my speed and how to set up a play."

Receiver possibilities for 49ers

TAVON AUSTIN, WEST VIRGINIA

Skinny: The 49ers have drafted a pair of smaller-sized offensive dynamos the past two years in running backs in Kendall Hunter (5-7, 199) and LaMichael James (5-9, 195). They also crave versatility, and Austin played wide receiver, running back and returned punts and kickoffs in college. Their punt returner, Ted Ginn Jr., is a pending free agent and his backup, James, struggled mightily fielding punts last summer.

Quote: "There are a lot of comparisons to Percy Harvin and (Saints running back) Darren Sproles. He's a jitterbug and can do just about anything for you. As a slot receiver, he would be dynamic. With the pistol and read-option that San Francisco is running, he could be very dynamic in that regard. He's an interesting player." - CBS Sports' Rob Rang.

JUSTIN HUNTER, TENNESSEE

Height, weight: 6-4, 196

2012 statistics: 73 catches, 1,083 yards, 9 TDs

Skinny: His teammate, Cordarrelle Patterson, is expected to be the first wide receiver selected, but Hunter figures to be drafted within the first two rounds. He was sidelined for most of 2011 with a torn ACL and flashed inconsistent hands last season. His stock only figures to rise at the combine, given his athletic ability. A former track star, he ranked No. 3 in the nation in the long jump, No. 7 in the high jump and No. 14 in the triple jump in high school.

Quote: "When I watch the tape of Tennessee, he is the much better wide receiver right now than Cordarrelle Patterson. And Patterson is going to get drafted earlier because he's such a freak in his natural ability and run-after-catch and versatility. But Hunter can get down the field and make plays." - ESPN's Todd McShay

TERRANCE WILLIAMS, BAYLOR

Height, weight: 6-2, 208

2012 statistics: 97 catches, 1,832 yards, 12 TDs

Skinny: After two Baylor wide receivers, Kendall Wright (first round) and Josh Gordon (supplemental second round), were high-end picks last year, Williams is next in line. After running primarily vertical routes in college, he'll have to answer questions about his route running and ability to make plays over the middle in the NFL. In college, Williams said, his speed allowed him to excel with a steady diet of deep routes, but he expressed confidence in his ability to adjust: "I know I'm faster, so why not? When (coaches) decide to change my routes, that's when I'll show them I can run different routes."